Michigan Medical Malpractice Lawyers | Failure to Diagnose Cancer

Daniel Buckfire

Contributor

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Many forms of cancer are extremely treatable and we have been told thousands of times that “early detection is the key” to catching cancer while treatment remains likely to spare the patient a prolonged and energy-sapping battle. Too often, however, doctors commit medical malpractice by failing to recognize signs that cancer is present and needs to be treated.

To be clear, you do not have a medical malpractice lawsuit just because someone has fought with cancer. But when warning signs are present and a doctor negligently fails to diagnose cancer, the law gives that person certain rights. They are entitled to compensation for what they have to suffer through as a result of the medical malpractice.

Common examples of medical malpractice relating to failure to diagnose cancer include:

• Failing to perform simple and routine tests, such as a prostate exam, during a scheduled appointment;
• Failing to properly document the results of a test, such as failing to document changes indicative of breast cancer following a mammogram;
• Ordering a test for something that could be cancerous, but failing to send the sample to the lab, or failing to follow up with the lab to make sure the test results are sent back.